CVE-2023-44372Public exploit

Code execution via freed U3D field object

Published Nov 16, 2023 · Updated Dec 16, 2025

Use after free in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows remote attackers to execute code by inducing a user to open a malicious PDF. JavaScript in a PDF containing a U3D object changes the page during a field Format action, frees the related field object, and then reuses it without validation. A user must open the file; successful exploitation corrupts memory and runs code with the current user's privileges on Windows or macOS.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.61%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use after free in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows remote attackers to execute code by inducing a user to open a malicious PDF. JavaScript in a PDF containing a U3D object changes the page during a field Format action, frees the related field object, and then reuses it without validation. A user must open the file; successful exploitation corrupts memory and runs code with the current user's privileges on Windows or macOS.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-44372
Published
Nov 16, 2023
Updated
Dec 16, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 16, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 16, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=23.006.20360

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=23.006.20360

Published CVSS scores

7.8Adobe CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Adobe Security BulletinCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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